Man and His Questions (Part 2) - God or Not?

Man and His Questions (Part 2) - God or Not?




There are 4 parts to the answer to the above question :


1) Got, so many until there are different realms for them.



2) To the god-believers, observe your minds when I say, "There's NO God."

To the 'no-god' believers, observe your minds when I say, "There is a God."

If a person's mind is fixed that there's a God/Creator, what use is there of anyone saying there isn't.

Would you accept?

And vice versa.

Besides, would you believe me?

Why should you believe me?

How do you know I'm telling the Truth?

What if I make a mistake?

Even if I'm telling the Truth, you may misunderstand me.

Or, for a person who's confused enough, you may end up being even more confused.

So, the best solution?

Go Meditate, Investigate and find out yourself, Avoid blindly believing others.





3) What difference does it make whether there's a God or not?

Does it make you more intelligent/wise?

Does it make you a better person?

Does it change you in any way?

Are you behaving well just because you feared there is a God and that He will punish you, and you will behave otherwise just because there isn't?

Is it really so important, necessary, whether there is a God or not?

( Read 'Man and His Questions - Part 1')

To me, what's important is what are we doing right here, right now, to make this world a better and more harmonious place for all sentient beings to live in, and what are we doing to our lives to make it more meaningful and beneficial for ourselves and others, such as become a better person,

A more loving husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter etc.



4) This question had been asked for so many years already - countless ages even.

Isn't it boring to ask the same question over and over and over again?

Don't you have better or more important things to do in Life, Your life, then to ask about The Origin of the Universe, is there a Creator God, The purpose of mosquitoes etc.


Some even fight and argue over it.

One side say their God is The One.

Another say theirs is The One.

The interesting thing is both are on opposite ends of the same spectrum.

No wonder President Lincoln said, "God can't be for and against the same thing at the same time."

( Read 'Why Fight?' )

Argue for so long.

Endless.



So, the last part to the answer to the question, "God or Not?", is

"No point answering."

(and really, there's no point asking, too.)






"If the water in the rivers (such as the Ganges) could really wash away sins and suffering, then the turtles, crabs, fish and shellfish living in those sacred rivers ought by now to be freed of their sins and sufferings too.

And, if a man could eliminate suffering by making offerings, paying homage, and praying, there would be no one subject to suffering left in the world, because anyone at all can pay homage and pray.

But since people are still subject to suffering while in the very act of making obeisances, paying homage and performing rites, this is clearly not the way to gain liberation."

- The Buddha






"Suppose a man were to toss a yoke with a single hole in it.

A wind from the East would blow it West.

A wind from the West would blow it East.

A wind from the North would blow it South.

A wind from the South would blow it North.

And suppose a blind sea turtle, which come to the surface only once in every century.

Now, what do you think would be the chance of the blind sea turtle, which rise to the surface once every 100 years, come up with his neck right through the hole of the yoke?

That's how rare and precious human rebirth is.

( Treasure it )

- The Buddha







"Man himself is responsible for his own happiness and misery.

He creates his own heaven and hell.

He is master of his own destiny, child of his past, and parent of his future."

- Sayadaw U Thittila

"Truth does not depend on beliefs or opinions of any kind.

It is true according to immutable natural principles."

- Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

Man and His Questions (Part 1) - The Origin of the Universe

Man and His Questions (Part 1) - The Origin of the Universe



One day, a man called Malunkyaputta approached The Buddha and demanded that The Buddha explain the origin of the Universe to him.

If not, he'll cease to be His follower.

The Buddha calmly retorted that it was of no consequence to Him whether Malunkyaputta followed him or not, cos Truth need no followers, and Truth did not need any one's support.

To The Buddha, gaining knowledge about such matters was a waste of time cos such issues have no value for gaining spiritual wisdom - it doesn't help us to gain Enlightenment or Liberation, and man's immediate and critical task is to liberate himself.

To illustrate further, The Enlightened One explained,

"Suppose a man was shot by a poisoned arrow, but he refused to have the arrow remove until he found out everything about the person, who shot the arrow -

Was it a man or a woman?

Was it someone of noble birth, or a peasant?

Was the person tall or short? Fat or thin?

What about the family? How many sibling does the person have?

Was it a big bow, or a small bow, from which the person shot the arrow?

What was the bow-string made of?

What about the arrow? Was it made of rattan or of reed?

What kind of feathers did the person use to make the arrow? etc etc ........



Before he knows the answer to all these unnecessary questions, the poison would have entered his bloodstream and circulated throughout his whole system, and he would have died.

The thing to do is to remove the poisoned arrow first, "said The Buddha.





"It is more important to know what is important to know, and NOT what is unimportant."




"Learn what you should learn;

Practise what you should practise;

Remove what you should remove,

And know what is important.

Enlightenment."

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"Our immediate task is to attain Nibbana, and NOT to worry about our beginnings."

- Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda

The Middle Way

The Middle Way



Since it's Vesak week, I thought what better way to celebrate the occasion than to write/talk about the 1st Teaching of The Buddha - The Middle Way.

What is The Middle Way?


Imagine yourself driving in the middle lane of a 3-lane straight road, with cars on both sides.

Now, what happens if you steer your car too much, or all the way towards the left? (* sensual indulgence)

You may end up in a collision with the car on the left lane.

The result?

An accident (* Suffering to yourself and others).

Likewise, if you drive too much to the right (* self-mortification or torture), you'll also cause an accident by knocking the car on your right. (* again, suffering - to yourself and others).

So, what should you do?

All you need to do, or should do, is when you're too much to the left, move your steering wheel a bit to the right (* ie apply some self-restraint) so as to keep the car you're driving at the centre of your lane.

And, vice-versa (*ie apply a bit of loving-kindness, forgiveness and compassion to yourself and others when you're too overly critical, judgemental or torturing yourself.)

Unfortunately, many people do not maintain lane discipline.

They have a tendency to move too much to the left, and cause a collision,

Or, in order to avoid a collision, they quickly swerve their car to the right by turning the steering wheel too much and too fast.

So, they're constantly driving in a zig-zag manner, going from one extreme to another, and causing accidents.

Just like a pendulum bob : Always swinging from right to left, and left to right (*ie from one suffering to another), and never or rarely at the centre. (*ie never stopping to look, observe, analyse and investigate so as to understand).

Therefore, they're always suffering, or experiencing suffering.

Only very few can maintain lane discipline by staying at the centre,

Driving along The Middle Way -

The Buddha Way.




"This world is blind.

Here, there are few who clearly see.

As birds escaping from a net,

Few go to a blissful state."

- The Buddha




"When this world is ever ablaze,

Why the laughter, why the jubilation?

Shrouded in darkness,

Will you not seek The Light?"

- The Buddha




"Those who practise The Dhamma (Truth),

In line with the Well-Taught Dhamma (Truth),

They will cross over Death's Realm, so hard to transcend."

- The Buddha

"The Middle Way realised by The Tathagatha - Producing vision (Insight),

Producing realisation - Lead to Calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening,

To Nibbana."

- The Buddha (Discourse on Setting The Wheel o Dhamma in Motion).

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I wish all an Enlightening Week.

Happy Vesak Day, Everyone!

With Metta

Maitre-light :)

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 3) - Inspiration vs Investigation

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 3) - Inspiration vs Investigation

My sister has a friend who's seeking for answers, and he has attended many talks, workshops, seminars, readings by different renowned gurus, masters, etc, including famous motivational speakers.

There was once my sister asked him about the motivational speakers.

According to him, the motivational speakers are very good, but one has to go back again and again to be 'charged up' (and in my opinion, to be 'charged' as well), something which he can't afford to cos the charges were very expensive. (see what I mean?)

The last I heard, he's still searching.


There are many gurus, teachers, etc out there who are very charming, charismatic even, and the things they say can be very inspiring and motivating, it invigorates, 'powers' you up, energises .......

But, only for a while, only at that instant.

When I reflected on it, I realised that inspiration is short-term.

It's like a drug, an intoxicant, where you need to 'take' it over and over again to feel 'high' and energised.

Whereas investigation, test, finding out for yourself is something that's long-term.

It lasts 'forever'.

An infinity, an eternity.


When we investigate, we realise, we awaken.

All in a moment.

And moment is timeless, it seems like an eternity.

And the lessons learnt (ie. the realisations) stay with us Forever.

The experience lingers and is Price-less (Free)


To me, a good teacher is one who not only inspires, but also encourages their students to investigate, to be independent, and to be free. (Read 'What is, What is not' and 'Mynah and her nestling')

And, a good student is one who investigates, try/test out the teacher's teachings to see if it really works, and if it's exactly as how the teacher explained.

That's how faith (in the teacher) comes about; not by or about believing blindly.

For me, Buddhism, or rather The Buddha's Teachings, is similar to Yoga.

It's pointless for the instructor to demonstrate the poses, and all that the students do, is stand by the sides, clapping and applauding in awe.

The students have to practise the poses.


Likewise, the Buddha's Teachings is for us to practise, not stand by the sides and praise His Enlightenment.

As The Buddha puts it so aptly, "You are NOT honouring me by offering flowers. You honour me ONLY by practising The Dhamma".

Since Vesak Day is round the corner, may I suggest and urge all who calls themselves 'Buddhists' to investigate what Buddhism, The Dhamma - The Buddha's Teachings, is truly about.

"Paccattam Veditabbo Vinnuhiti ( To be attained by the wise, each for himself.)"

- The Buddha

"You yourselves should make the effort;

The Tathagatas are only teachers.

Those who enter this Path and who are meditative,

Are delivered from the bonds of Mara."

- The Buddha

"Whoever practises the Dhamma in accordance with the Way of the Dhamma,

He is truly the one who gives Puja (Offering) to the Tathagata (Buddha)."

- The Buddha

"My Teaching is not to come and believe (or see),

But to practise."

- The Buddha





"Just as I do not take credit for how good my students are,

Likewise, I bear no liability for how bad they are.

Good or bad depends on themselves

And how much/little effort they put in."





"If I tell, you'll just hear or listen, and you'll forget (ear in, ear out);

If I teach and show, you'll see and you may or may not remember.

But if I involve you and make you do, you'll learn and you'll understand."






"Dhamma is (for) free;

Dhamma is for you and me and everybody.

In Dhamma there is No Secret.

For the gift of Dhamma is Price-less (that means, FREE)."





"Dhamma has a value beyond all wealth, and should not be sold like goods in a market place."

- Venerable Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno





"Those who truly believe in Buddhism are those who earnestly pursue Truth."

- Venerable Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno






"If one doesn't understand through practice, one wouldn't understand Buddhism.

Even if one learns (and memorise) the whole Tipitaka (the voluminous recorded teachings of The Buddha), one still will not know."

- Ajahn Chah

"Buddhism : Universal, Timeless Freedom.

The Dhamma - Buddha's Teachings : Universal, Timeless Truth."





"Dhamma can't taught; it has to be experience."

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 2) The Teachings

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 2) The Teachings


There are many gurus, teachers, masters, 'shifus', etc out there who can wax lyrical and speak of all kinds of impressive, wow-wow things, and who seems so 'knowledgeable'.

They may even have fanciful abilities.

My suggestion is, do be careful.

Just as there are fake, imitation goods, likewise, there are also fake, imitation gurus, teachers, etc, whatever you call them.

What I learn from my experience is, observe the teacher, preferably for a while, to see if the teacher practises what he/she is teaching.

e.g. If the teachers say, "Be simple," are the teachers simple?

Do they live simply?

Or do they have lots of material possessions?

Do they, or are they adorn from head to toe like a Christmas tree, with lots of lavish and elaborate decorations and ornaments around them?

Are they bothered or concern about the physical?

If the teacher says be humble, is the teacher humble?

Or, is the teacher singing praises of himself/herself?

And telling success stories of only the good students to boost his/her own ego?

If the teacher says relax and be happy, observe if the teacher is relax or rushed?

Calm or edgy?

Does the teacher laugh, or is full of insecurity and complaints?

If the teacher says let go, does the teacher let go?

Physically, mentally and emotionally.

This applies especially to those who have renounced (i.e the monks and nuns) or those who claimed that they've renounced.

Or are they still holding on to things, people, places, ideas/views, and very importantly, the past?

eg. Do they want and/or expect lavish gifts, 'ang pows' (red packets) etc, for the help, service etc rendered? (Physical)

Do they hold on to past grudges (mental) ?

Or, anger - this person did this to me, took this away from me (emotional).

Observe.


A very good example of what I'm trying to say, is the show, "Mr Woodcock".

To me, that was an excellent show with a strong and powerful message.

But to many people, they feel the show was boring, or so-so.

The character in the show was an author of a self-help book entitled, "Letting go of your past", which was a best seller.

But when he came face-to-face with his past, especially his so-called 'nemesis', Mr Woodcock, a PE teacher who was 'mean' to his students, the author went 'crazy'.

Literally.

He even tore his own book!

It only goes to show that people can write, say and maybe even do a lot of fantastic stuff/things.

But the questions is,

Do they practise what they wrote, said, or teach?

Words are cheap.

Actions speaks louder than words.

So observe, Carefully.

"However many holy words you read;

However many you speak;

What good will they do you,

If you do not act upon them."

- The Buddha .
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"As he instructs others,

"As he instructs others,

So should he himself act.

Himself fully controlled,

He should control (others);

For one self, indeed, is difficult to control."

- The Buddha

"Not by a shaven head does an undisciplined man, who utters lies, become a monk.

How can one who is full of desire and greed be a monk?"

- The Buddha





"The bhikkhu who is calm in body, calm in speech, calm in mind, who is well-composed, who has given up worldly things, is truly called a peaceful one."

- The Buddha





"He is not a wise man just because he talks much;

Only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others, is called a wise man."

- The Buddha




"Let one first establish oneself in what is proper, and then instruct others.

Such a wise man will not be defiled."

- The Buddha

"He who looks, appears, and/or seems holy may not actually, exactly, and/or necessarily, be Truly Holy."




"Those who seek the true path to enlightenment must NOT expect an easy task, nor one made pleasant by offers of respect, honour and devotion."

"With power comes responsibilities.

But how many can, and are willing to be responsible,

Not just for the good, but also for the bad that comes along with it?"





"Knowledge is NOT equal to realisation :

You can have all the knowledge;

But if you do not practise,

You are just like a spoon -

Not tasting the flavour of the soup."

"Though much he recites the Sacred Texts, but acts not accordingly,

That heedless man is like a cowherd who counts others' kine.

He has no share in the fruits of the Holy Life.

- The Buddha (Dhammapada v.19)

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 1) The Teacher

The Teacher and The Teachings (Part 1) The Teacher




Do you know of anyone whom you respect, or look up to?

Someone who you call/address 'Teacher', 'Master', Guru', 'Shifu' etc or whatever labels you give that person.

I used to have 2 so-called 'Masters', too.

One is a yoga master from India, and another is a new-age kind of 'Master' involved in energy healing method.

And, from the new-age energy healing master, I got to know several other certified masters.

I was with all these masters, especially the main 2, for a while, about 1-2 years, observing them and learning whatever they're willing to share.

What I discovered was, despite all their knowledge and seemingly abilities, and all the awe-inspiring things they say and can do, they're still unhappy, insecure, filled with anger, enmity, hate, fear, jealousy, suspicious, unsure and suffering.

I figured that's not it.

So I left.

All of them.

I decided to find out for myself.

But I must add that I'm grateful and thankful to all of them (especially the main 2) for coming into my life so that I can experience and 'see'.

Do I have any Teacher/s now?

Who is/are my Teacher/s now?

There are 3 parts to the answer to the above question :


1) Everything and every being in my life - Cos' I learn so much just by observing people, nature and all the other beings.


2) The Buddha - As a monastic once said, " The best (and to me, the only) Teacher you can trust is The Buddha."


3) Myself - Cos' no one can teach us better than ourselves. We're our own best friend, and our own worst enemy. Everything begins from us, our minds. There's no conquest greater than self-conquest.


The Buddha once said,

"The One who sees the Dhamma, sees The Buddha, The One who sees The Buddha, sees The Dhamma."

Where is The Buddha? Where is The Dhamma?

It's in your fathom long body, says The Buddha.

"We are our own Master, Our future depends entirely on ourselves;

Nobody can take care of our future lives,

And the present rests on our own shoulders."

- The Buddha





"By oneself, indeed, is evil done;

By oneself is one defiled.

By oneself is evil left undone;

By oneself, indeed, is one purified.

Purity and impurity depends on Oneself.

No one purifies another."

- The Buddha





"By self do you censure yourself.

By self do you examine yourself.

Self, indeed, is the protector of self.

Self, indeed, is one's refuge.

Control, therefore, your own self.

As a merchant controls the noble steed."

- The Buddha

"Rely only upon yourself;

Do not rely upon others."

- The Buddha

"We alone is the light in the dark.

No one can light the path for us except ourselves."





"Only we hold the key;

Only we can set ourselves free."





"In short, what it means is :

DIY - Do - It - Yourself."

The Society and its System

The Society and its System

Somewhere in 2007, before a class began, one of my students commented that Singapore is 'sick'.

She mentioned that why else would scholars go around molesting children, and a teacher who's also a scholar, go around asking 13 years old girls for their breasts size.

She asked me why is this happening.

I told her that it's because of the system emphasizing too much on competition, being 1st etc.

The result? Mental illnesses.

We're producing factories of lunatics, so to speak (read 'Competition and Consequences' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/06/competition-and-consequences.html).

Just as I wrote in 'What is, What is not' - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-what-is-not.html,

"A country can be very good, but education from the wrong footing and perspective can destroy it."

Any system that's based solely on economics with no or little emphasis on morals and values will result in a selfish, me-1st mentality, with its accompanying problems and issues, and resultant social ills.

Consider the following :


1) People rushing in to the MRTs (and lifts), and for seats.

2) Drivers 'beating' traffic lights (ie. driving past traffic lights even though it has turned red).

3) Drivers hit and run, some feeling no remorse whatsoever for their actions.

4) Drivers driving past the zebra-crossing, or making illegal U-turn, or turns, with total disregard for pedestrians who are crossing the roads, and/or pedestrians' safety.

5) People lie, cheat and steal without batting their eye lids.

6) The lack of respect for the elders.

7) Wanton/rampant sex that makes us no different from the animals in our neighbourhood.

8) The abuse and abandonment of animals.

9) Irresponsible pet owners and parents.

10) Lack of P's and Q's (Please and Thank you) and social manners.


My sister related an incident regarding one of her students who's in Primary school.

He and his friend found a wallet outside the school compound one day.

The wallet contains $20 and several credit cards etc.

My sister asked him what did they do with the wallet? Did they hand it to their teacher or the school?

The boy said no.

My sister then asked what did they do with it then?

The boy told my sister that his friend wanted to keep the $20 cos' he's the one who found it.

However, the boy told his friend that if the friend doesn't split the $20 with him, he'll report his friend to the teacher! (That's similar to extortion, don't you think?)

So, the boys pocketed $10 each.

My sister then asked what did they do with the wallet and the cards etc inside?

The boy said they threw it into the dustbin cos' they have no use for it!


Take another example.

During one of my walks in the park, I heard the voice of a young boy shouting vulgarity and profanity at his friends.

From whom did he learn the 'fanciful' and colourful vocabulary from, I wonder.

On several occasions, I've witnessed parents who could not control and/or discipline their wayward kids.

I remember one occasion when a mother was begging and apologising profusely to her spoilt son who was wailing away, for dropping his water bottle.

The boy looked about 4-6 years of age.

On one of the rare occasion that I turn on the TV, I was fortunate enough to watch a program called "TAB TV".

It showed a recording done at several pubs where local women were approaching Caucasian men, who they met for the first time, and 'offering' themselves, whether implicitly or explicitly.

One was recorded as saying, "Ooh ... I feel so horny."

I do not know whether to be amaze , or amuse.


Have you held the door or lift open for others?

Do they thank you?

Or perhaps smile at you?

Or do they just whisk past you without even a glance?

Has anyone ever bumped into you?

Do they say 'excuse me' or 'sorry'?

I think it's because they've got gold in their mouths.


People complain that the public toilets in Tibet are dirty.

I wonder if they ever consider the toilets in Singapore.

Tibet's toilets are dirty understandably cos' their infrastructure is not set up.

But Singapore?

A 1st world country that boasts of so many '1st',

Yet the toilets in so many places, even big shopping centres, are just as bad as those of Tibet's, if not worst.

Strange, isn't it?

I can't comment about the guy's toilets, but the ladies' toilets can be quite appalling sometimes.

It makes me wonder if that's how they use their toilets at home, and who cleans it?

Gandhi once said,

"You can see the greatness of a society by how they treat their animals."

I would like to contend that,

"You can also see the development of a society by how they treat their public toilets."

Singapore is developed, no doubt about it.

Physically, that is.

But mentally, morally and socially?

?????




"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

- Gandhi




"The only way /solution for there to be peace on Earth, Harmony and Tolerance,

Is for adults who come into contact with children : that is, parents, teachers, tutors,

And the entire system / culture

Ought to change to one that emphasises, centres and hinges on Morality,

With morality as its base."




"Right attitude and character are more important than skills;

Cos' skills can be taught, but character takes a long while to change."

"Business is there to serve humanity, and NOT the other way round."




"As long as people believe that material wealth is more valuable than moral virtue, they will have no real security.

Even if the world economy were to flourish until material wealth is piled as high as the Sun,

The Sun's heat would be no match for the scorching heat of an immoral world.

Moral virtue is the True foundation for human perfection."

- Venerable Acariya Maha Boowa Nanasampanno

"The way to end suffering is NOT to increase greed and desires;

But to reduce and eliminate them."

"Ground the people and children in morals and virtues, and success and happiness will follow.

Ground the people and children in greed, hatred and delusion, then sadness, sorrows, pain and Suffering will ensue."

"A world in which proper spiritual development keeps pace with material development is a truly progressive world where people are bound to live in peace and happiness."

- Venerable Acriya Maha Boowa Sampanno